Winter 2011

Recycling and Disposal after a CFL Burns Out

EPA recommends that consumers take advantage of available local options for recycling CFL, other fluorescent bulbs and all household hazardous wastes rather than disposing of them in regular household trash.

Why is Recycling CFLs Important?

• Recycling prevents the release of mercury into the environment. CFLs and other fluorescent bulbs often break when thrown into a dumpster, trash can or compactor, or when they end up in a landfill or incinerator. Learn more about CFLs and mercury.
• Other materials in the bulbs get reused. Recycling CFLs and other fluorescent bulbs allows the reuse of the glass, metals and other materials that make up fluorescent lights. Virtually all components of a fluorescent bulb can be recycled.
• Your area may require recycling. Some states and local jurisdictions have more stringent regulations than U.S. EPA does, and may require that you recycle CFLs and other mercury-containing light bulbs. California, Maine, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Vermont and Massachusetts, for example, all prohibit mercury-containing lamps from being discarded into landfills. Check the map below or visit Earth911.com to contact your local waste collection agency, which can tell you if such requirement exists in your state or locality.

How and Where Can I Recycle CFLs?

Waste Collection Agencies

1. Contact your local waste collection agency by visiting Earth911.com. Many counties and cities have household hazardous waste drop-off locations and/or curbside and other special collection programs. To find locations where you can drop off bulbs, and when and where a collection may be held in your area, contact your local waste collection agency directly by visiting Earth911.com. Note that waste collection agencies:
   • provide services that are usually free, though some may charge a small fee.
   • sometimes collect household hazardous wastes only once or twice a year, so residents will have to hold on to their light bulbs until the collection takes place. Other collection agencies provide collection services throughout the year.
   • may also collect paints, pesticides, cleaning supplies or batteries.
   • usually accept waste only from residents, although some collection programs include small businesses as well.
2. Visit your local retailers. Ace Hardware, Home Depot, IKEA, Lowe's, Orchard Supply and other retailers offer in-store recycling. Visit Earth911.com to find stores in your area. Check directly with the store before you go; not all stores in regional or nationwide chains may be equipped to recycle. EPA is working with retailers to expand recycling and disposal options.
   • Ace Hardware store locator
   • Home Depot’s CFL recycling program
   • IKEA store locations
   • Lowe's store locator
   • Orchard Supply store locator
3. Find out about mail-back services. Some bulb manufacturers and other organizations sell pre-labeled recycling kits that allow you to mail used bulbs to recycling centers. The cost of each kit includes shipping charges to the recycling center. You fill up a kit with old bulbs, seal it, and bring it to the post office or leave for your postal carrier. Websites that provide more information about mail-back services:
   • Lamprecycling.com (AirCycle)
   • Osram Sylvania
   • Think Green From Home (Waste Management Inc.)
   • Veolia Environmental Services

USEPA’s website on CFL Recycling: http://www.epa.gov/cfl/cflrecycling.html